Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1887-08-31

have robbed me of the lovccf the man love
ana have always loved. His love and c.
teen I valued ten times more than the Cal
edon estate, and you have robbed me of
both"
She paused with q dry sob, but went en- in
a moment. "You offer me friendship, as if
all the friendship in the word could com
pcnsate zee for my love. do not want your
friendship CIR your money, for sooner than
touch a cent OF it / would starve in the
street. You ere mistress Of C2Icdon now
Oliver Dudley is your devoted slave. May
vnl, hH worry hannv "
you speak wildly, 1rma," 1 said. "Mr
Dudley is nothing 10 me except friend"
1 blushCd the next instant, though, re-
Wondering that I did regard him in a diff
fercat light, though that he had aught ex-
cept friendly feeling for me remained 70
be seen.
"And you refuse ny offer of friendship,
Miss Earrett," l said, rising She bowed
her head
"You are wrong, fearfui!y wrong" /
cried "Bclicvo me, Oliver Dudley is only
friend TO me.''
She raised her eyes, hard and stony, to
mine. Never shall I forget their cold, hope
less look.
"You waste your words, Miss Caledon,"
was al she said, and l walked away, lcav-
ing her, as had found her, sitting idly by
the window, her waxcn hands folded in her
lap.
''Ohl the w;ckedness Of this worldp' ]
cried, rs went homcwGrd.
"BCt for her mothers wicked scheme Of
defrauding q helpless orphan, Lima would
to-day have been a happy girl, and we
should havo been as dear sisters to-
ge;her."
81 had been at Caiedon Heights a year
when Mr.. Dudley, returning from the
North where he had been attending the
settling of his fathers estate, made me a
formal offer Of his hand and heart.
81 have always loved you, Dorcas," he
said. You arc tho enc woman in the world
would choose for ply wife. Without your
love / an miserable, indeed. Surely you
will not send ne away, Dorcas. Only give
nc the smallest share of your love and
shall be content"
It is needless to record my answer. Suf-
fee to say that ksr. Dudley did not leave,
and that ne confessed the share 1 granted
him CT my love proved quite sufficient.
We wc7o married quietly, only the dear
friends had known IN the years of my ad-
versity being present Among these were
Bertic Clayton, whose congratulations were
as warm and hearty % one would wish.
My hoEored grandparents, in whose
good gracos am happy to say at once
found myself, Immediately took up their
residence at the Heights at my earnest solic-
itation. Alsoomy dear adopted mother be-
came an inmate Of my homo, for could not
bear to be separated from ner who had
been to me mother, friend and sister in the
time when friendly hands were rare.
A few words more, and viii close. Irma
Barrett ever refused stubbornly to ACCEPT
my friendship or ny love; she married
wealthy planter in after years, bat fear
was never happy or consented. Irving
profitcd by the lesson taught him, for there
is to-day no more upright or honest man CT
one more respected in the community in
which be lives. Berthe Clayton is talented
young lawyer and loved By all who know
him. Mr. and Mrs. Clayton are both Sleep
ing quietly in Rose Eli Cemetery and have
been for many years. Near their graves is
that Of Agnes Armund; let Us hope after
LIES fitful fever their sleep is sweet.
$50 closes this short and simple story Of
ny life. After all the darkc louds were
swept away and. the sun shone brighter
than ever, there is only one regret, one sor-
row over which can never feel quite rec
oncilcd, that Is that my dear kind, fathers
dying wish and prayer for one more sight
OF his child could not have been granted
But after ell what matters iti VIII there
not be sufficient time IN all eternity, when
VIC shall meet TO compensate fer all the
little trials here.
Ard so, dear reader, ends the story of
Dorcas Caledon, the last heiress Of Caledon
Heights.
[rHz KsD.l